Ducks A-Z: Nick Bonino

Part of the reconstruction -- or deconstruction if you will -- of the 2007 Stanley Cup champions occurred when Ducks general manager Bob Murray dealt Travis Moen and Kent Huskins to San Jose for a couple of prospects at the 2009 NHL trade deadline.

Goalie Timo Pielmeier was one of those the Ducks got in return and Pielmeier figures to be in line to start for Syracuse in his first AHL season after a solid year at Bakersfield (ECHL). But in dealing with his former Chicago Blackhawk defense partner Doug Wilson, Murray had his eye on getting center Nick Bonino.

Selected in the sixth round by the Sharks in '07, Bonino built a nice college resume at Boston University where he racked up 45 goals and 72 assists in 116 games with the Terriers. Of course, there were his heroics in the 2009 NCAA title game win over Miami of Ohio.

The reward: Bonino signed with the Ducks in March and jumped into the lineup in place of the injured Ryan Getzlaf. After nine games with the club to end the season, the Connecticut native will have a lot of eyes on him at training camp.

What he did: Even though his Terriers didn't fare as well in their defense of an NCAA title, Bonino still led the team in scoring and had an impressive plus-minus that was 10 better than his next-best teammate. Just days after signing his pro contract, Bonino made his NHL debut against Edmonton and received his welcome-to-the NHL moment when he was leveled by Oilers defenseman Dean Arsene. Not only did the center get right back up to play over 13 minutes in that game but he scored his first goal the next time out against Dallas. Bonino also had an assist in the season finale against Edmonton as he finished with the two points in nine games.

What could happen in '10-11: Bonino impressed the club with his hockey sense but he didn't impress them with a frame that looks much more slight than the 190 pounds he's listed at. “It's going to take a lot of hard work on his part and a lot of commitment both on and off the ice to get that body a lot bigger than what it is now,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. Not only must he get sturdier but Bonino will need to work on his faceoff skills as he was just 43.6 percent (34 of 78) in the limited amount of action he saw. He also seemed to struggle with the pace of the games at times against the obvious difference in the level of competition. Bonino may not ultimately be that high-end pivot that teams covet but it's very likely that the Ducks will take a long look at him at camp given that one year of his two-year entry level deal was burned up in order to sign him. An opening on the roster could hinge on whether the club re-signs Saku Koivu but Bonino figures to at least be given a prime role in Syracuse and a front-row seat on the shuttle from the minors if he doesn't make the club.

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